Dame Joanna Lumley DBE, FRGS has built her reputation on numerous achievements. From her legendary performances, including her portrayal of Patsy Stone in the BBC comedy Absolutely Fabulous, to penning eight books and championing various causes through spirited activism, it's hardly surprising she's become a familiar face in British homes.
Joanna is equally renowned for her devotion to a particular fragrance that she simply refuses to go without - and this signature scent is currently available at a discount of over £30 at Debenhams. It's the YSL Rive Gauche Eau de Toilette.
The screen icon name-dropped the perfume in an interview with journalist Linda Grant in 2021, who recalled: "She arrived trailing perfume 'What is that?' I said. 'Darling, it's Rive Gauche, my old standby. Got it my bag, have a spritz.
"I get depressed if I can't find my bottle of YSL's Rive Gauche. It comes with me everywhere."
This floral aldehyde fragrance made its debut in 1971 and has maintained its appeal ever since, reported the Manchester Evening News. Drawing inspiration from the left bank of the river Seine, recognised as "an intellectual, hip and slightly more bohemian side of Paris", the perfume is now available at a reduced price on Debenhams, with a 100ml bottle priced at £60, down from £92.
The fragrance begins with fresh and zesty elements featuring aldehydes, green accords, honeysuckle, bergamot, peach and lemon. The middle reveals a more botanical character through rose, iris, geranium, ylang-ylang, lily-of-the-valley, jasmine, magnolia and gardenia.
The foundation delivers warming elements that persist, incorporating oakmoss, Tahitian vetiver, musk, sandalwood, tonka bean and amber. Joanna isn't the only one smitten with this fragrance - over on FragranceDirect, it has achieved an impressive average rating of 4.81 out of five stars from 434 reviews.
Rive Gauche is a hit with enthusiasts of the now-discontinued Climat by Lancôme and the timeless Chanel No 5, both of which start with aldehydes. The Chanel icon is currently reduced to £66.30 at Boots.
It's also likely to appeal to admirers of Marilyn Monroe's favourite Lanvin Arpège, which retails at £34.99 on Amazon.
One delighted customer shared: "I have been wearing Rive Gauche for years and it is a wonderful fragrance. I always receive compliments, often by complete strangers."
Another devoted fan said: "My wife has loved and worn this in our 45 years of marriage. She always smells beautiful. Family and friends have tried to get her to change to a newer fragrance, but this is her, so if it isn't broke why mend it."
A third reviewer noted: "This is what I buy my daughter every year. She's in her 40s now and tells me this scent gives her confidence because she always receives compliments when she is wearing it."
Another customer reflected: "I used to use Rive Gauche in my twenties. I recently tried some in a store and decided to buy it again some forty years later. Still love it."
However, despite garnering 394 five-star reviews, some feedback proves less glowing - a long-term fan believed the perfume formula is not the same over the years, saying: "Same bottle, same look but not the same perfume inside. I asked my son to smell both and he said the new one smells like 'washing up liquid'."
A second added: "It was just too strong, heavy in the patchouli notes. For me it just reminded me of my grandpa's aftershave."
The YSL Rive Gauche EDT is available for £60 at Debenhams.
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